Lack of anti-gang officers in courthouse ‘disturbing,’ says former solicitor general

Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun10.25.2012

Former solicitor general Kash Heed.Bill Keay
/ PNG

Former solicitor-general Kash Heed said he was disturbed by a Vancouver Sun story Tuesday revealing that the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit had been asked to cut back on its uniformed officers at the Vancouver Law Courts despite several high-profile gang trials going on simultaneously.Postmedia News
/ National Post

The presence of uniformed anti-gang officers in B.C. courthouses during gang trials can prevent violence from breaking out, former solicitor general and longtime police officer Kash Heed said Wednesday.

Heed said he was disturbed by a Vancouver Sun story Tuesday revealing that the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit had been asked to cut back on its uniformed officers at the Vancouver Law Courts despite several high-profile gang trials going on simultaneously.

And The Sun has learned that on Tuesday afternoon, uniformed gang officers arrived at the courthouse at 800 Smithe only to be denied entry to the building by the sheriffs.

Heed said he is baffled by the apparent shift in policy for B.C.’s biggest courthouse.

“I find this disturbing that we have the high concentration of these gang trials in one spot and we do not have visible uniformed gang officers to deter whatever activity may occur,” said Heed, a Liberal MLA.

“These gangsters are not going to think twice about settling the score in a public place — whether it is an elevator in the courthouse, a washroom in the courthouse or the public space of a courthouse or out front on the sidewalk. If the opportunity is there and they need to settle that score, they will settle it right then and there.”

Heed said the uniformed approach has been successful in Vancouver’s entertainment zone and other gang hot spots across the Lower Mainland.

“By the mere fact that you have these uniformed officers there with their reflective vests on that say Gang Suppression Unit or Gang Task Force, there is automatic awareness for the public and it deters these violent gang members from partaking in any activity,” said Heed.

CFSEU Sgt. Lindsey Houghton told The Sun earlier that the agency’s “overt uniformed presence has been reduced at the request of the courts and the judiciary since last year. You’d have to ask them why that is.”

Last year when several rival gangsters were appearing in the same courthouse, the uniformed gang task force patrolled the hallways and other public areas that can be accessed with no security check. And the uniformed officers have continued to operate in provincial courthouses as needed.

Kevin Jardine, assistant deputy minister of court services, said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the gang officers are no longer present because “there has been no recent security requirement for a uniformed presence by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit at the courts.”

He said the judiciary has expressed concern about officers “in tactical uniform” intimidating members of the public.

“Police officers are always welcome in courthouses,” Jardine said. “With regard to officers appearing in the courthouse in tactical uniform, the sheriffs have responded to concerns from the judiciary that other court users may find their appearance intimidating by asking officers to avoid courtrooms and adjacent areas.”

Jardine said that most new sheriffs trained in the last two years “have been deployed to the Lower Mainland to assist with a number of high security trials, ensuring the cases can move ahead efficiently.”

There are now four trials with gang links continuing at the Vancouver Law Courts. And several major cases, involving members of the Hells Angels, United Nations gang and Red Scorpions, are expected to start in the coming months This week alone, accused from two gang cases were seen chatting on the fifth floor at one of the breaks.

Security gates are set up outside some of the gang courtrooms, but others can be accessed with no security check. By contrast, at Vancouver Provincial Court at 222 Main, everyone entering goes through airport-like screening.

Jardine said the sheriffs make the assessment about the level of security needed in each case.

“Following the evaluation, we strategically deploy resources to meet that security need,” he said.

“Security for our courthouses is a priority for the B.C. government.”

B.C. NDP attorney general critic Leonard Krog said safety has to be paramount in courthouses, meaning all resources available should be used.

“I am not sure I would agree with the position that it should be left in these serious gang trials to just the sheriffs,” Krog said. “Is this the best way to ensure security and safety in the courthouses when you are dealing with an element of society that is notoriously violent?”

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Lack of anti-gang officers in courthouse ‘disturbing,’ says former solicitor general

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